The One Thing Study is a wonderful way to read the Bible, in a meaningful way, on your own. It's a simple but powerful devotional tool. It consists of three parts that are easy to remember. The word One is an acrostic, with each letter standing for a different part in the study.
The One Thing Study Contains Three Parts.
They spell the word O.N.E.
O = Observe.
Read at least a passage of Scripture at a time. The Bible is divided into books, chapters, passages, and verses. Passages are marked with headings and usually contain one or more paragraphs. A passage is the basic unit of thought in the Bible.
N = Note.
Mark the One Thing that speaks to your heart. It may be a word, phrase, or sentence. Underline it, highlight it, or circle it. Whatever you do, make sure you mark it! Marking your one thing allows for easy access for personal reflection, or when sharing it with others.
E = Express.
Pray your One Thing back to God. Have a conversation with God about what He just said to you. The key is that it's meaningful. The goal is worship. The intended outcome is reverent love for the Lord. The result is a spiritual truth that renews your heart and stays with you the rest of the day.
Helpful Information About the One Thing Study in general
The One Thing Study is powerful. Don't confuse simple with shallow. The One Thing Study is life changing because it connects the reader to the exact word or phrase in Scripture that is the most meaningful. Devotionals may be helpful, but at best, they consist of verses selected by another human being. The One Thing study is the exact word or phrase selected by the Holy Spirit. Meditating on that Scripture throughout the day is transforming.
The One Thing Study is essential. Disciple making is vertical before it's horizontal. Worship precedes witness. What a we experience in person with God determines what we express in public about God. The goal of the One Thing Study is worship; reverent love.
The One Thing Study is a priority. It's the first tool to teach a new disciple. Remember the saying, "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for life?" Teaching someone how to do a One Thing Study is like teaching them to fish; it's feeding them for life.
The One Thing Study is essential. Disciple making is vertical before it's horizontal. Worship precedes witness. What a we experience in person with God determines what we express in public about God. The goal of the One Thing Study is worship; reverent love.
The One Thing Study is a priority. It's the first tool to teach a new disciple. Remember the saying, "Give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for life?" Teaching someone how to do a One Thing Study is like teaching them to fish; it's feeding them for life.
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The One Thing Study is transitional. The One Thing Study marks the shift from the Tell to the Teach stage of disciple making. Therefore, it's a good idea to be familiar with a Bible resource. Biblegateway.com is a great source because it features multiple translations, commentaries and more. Practice using it to teach One Thing Studies. You can either let a person pick the landing spot for their first One Thing Study or direct them to a specific book, chapter and passage.
The One Thing Study is revealing. Listening to someone share about their One Thing Study is like putting a spiritual stethoscope against their heart. It displays the true nature of their relationship with God. |
The word of God ignites our worship of God, which drives our witness for God. |
Helpful Information about the parts of the One Thing Study.
Observe
Read from start to finish. Do One Thing Studies from the beginning to the end of whatever book you choose.
Read the New Testament first. First-time readers are encouraged to start in the New Testament by reading one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), or the book of Romans. The Gospels tell about the life of Jesus Christ. Romans is the most theologically comprehensive book in the Bible. When you're ready, an excellent Old Testament book to read is the first book, Genesis. It describes the origin of humanity and displays the nature of God.
Read with understanding. Choose a translation that is easy to read. The New Living Translation (NLT) is accurate and easy-to-understand. However, read what works for you.
Read devotionally. Focus on the terms you know and phrases you understand. Don't be distracted by what you don't know or understand. That is a different type of study. Often, devotions are constrained by time. Maximize the use of your time, and nourish your soul by focusing on words and phrases you already comprehend. (Proverbs 4:20-21)
Read the New Testament first. First-time readers are encouraged to start in the New Testament by reading one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), or the book of Romans. The Gospels tell about the life of Jesus Christ. Romans is the most theologically comprehensive book in the Bible. When you're ready, an excellent Old Testament book to read is the first book, Genesis. It describes the origin of humanity and displays the nature of God.
Read with understanding. Choose a translation that is easy to read. The New Living Translation (NLT) is accurate and easy-to-understand. However, read what works for you.
Read devotionally. Focus on the terms you know and phrases you understand. Don't be distracted by what you don't know or understand. That is a different type of study. Often, devotions are constrained by time. Maximize the use of your time, and nourish your soul by focusing on words and phrases you already comprehend. (Proverbs 4:20-21)
Note
Mark a word or phrase. The smaller the One Thing, the better. This is important. Meditating on a word or phrase is much easier than thinking about a large section of Scripture. Dwelling on just a few words of Scripture throughout the day is a powerful experience.
Mark something. Stick with it even if the first reading is not productive. If nothing speaks to your heart, ask God to help you hear His voice as you reread. If several things speak to your heart, ask God to help you focus on just one. Trying to meditate on too many things can dilute the impact of thinking about just one thing. You can always begin your next One Thing Study where you left off.
Mark something. Stick with it even if the first reading is not productive. If nothing speaks to your heart, ask God to help you hear His voice as you reread. If several things speak to your heart, ask God to help you focus on just one. Trying to meditate on too many things can dilute the impact of thinking about just one thing. You can always begin your next One Thing Study where you left off.
Express
Pray your One Thing with responsiveness in mind. It may be a truth to reflect upon, a directive to obey, or a promise to embrace. It may be a confession to make, praise to offer, or an open-ended question for the Holy Spirit to answer throughout the day.
Pray your One Thing with your nature in mind. Perfectionists need to be mindful of not always looking for ways to improve. Instead, be ready to give thanks or offer praise. Others need to be aware of not just going through the motions. You will get out of this what you put into it. As Rick Warren says, "We are as spiritually mature as we choose to be."
Share your One Thing with yourself in mind. When sharing with others, speak in the first person (I and me). Avoid using we, you, they, and them. Remember, this is about what God is saying to you, about you, not what He is saying to you for others.
Pray your One Thing with your nature in mind. Perfectionists need to be mindful of not always looking for ways to improve. Instead, be ready to give thanks or offer praise. Others need to be aware of not just going through the motions. You will get out of this what you put into it. As Rick Warren says, "We are as spiritually mature as we choose to be."
Share your One Thing with yourself in mind. When sharing with others, speak in the first person (I and me). Avoid using we, you, they, and them. Remember, this is about what God is saying to you, about you, not what He is saying to you for others.